Synthesis of MnO/cotton based carbon composites as lithium-ion battery anodes: a study on their structures and properties

The construction of transition metal oxides/carbon composites has been one of the most useful methods to improve the electrochemical performances of transition metal oxides as anodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). It has been found that various carbon amounts will make a great effect on the structures and properties of composites. In this work, the MnO/cotton based carbon composites are immediately obtained at an inert atmosphere from Mn(NO3)(2)-cotton mixture, which is readily produced based on the adsorption characteristic of cotton. The influences of carbon contents derived from various cotton amounts on the structures and electrochemical properties of MnO are studied. The results show that decreased crystallinity and improved porous properties can be achieved with increased carbon contents. As LIBs anodes, their electrochemical behaviours are distinct and deeply influenced by carbon contents. The MnO/cotton based carbon composite obtained at a cotton amount of 0.3 g delivers an initial reversible discharge capacity of 812.4 mAh g(-1), and a capacity of 775.9 mAh g(-1) can be retained after 50 cycles. Meanwhile, the structure-function relation is also discussed in the text.